26 comments:

LOve it! Jill is such a sweetie, and her inner joy just spills out of her. You can literally hear her smile in her voice. I'm reading the girls' book(I have ALL the Duggars' books! :-) ) and it is SO inspiring, changing the way I am parenting my own four kids.

Loved this! Thanks for sharing. :) My husband and I courted as well and although it is hard, just regular typical dating is so much harder because it's much more of a free for all-with not really any rules. Many people who date end up having pre-marital sex while those who court do not. Why? Because in courtship you limit your physical contact so that you a) get to know the person (not just their physical side) and b) you preserve your purity & wait until your wedding night to be together. I must admit waiting was SUPER HARD but it made our wedding night just that much more incredible (and I've heard this from other couples who courted and waited as well). Beautiful way to do things! :)

Once again, Jill hasn't answered the question. She spouts off the approved paragraphs defining the rules of courtship. Why is it better? We still don't know. One can always set boundaries and rules when dating.. they are so black and white about everything, no in between. Also, not good.They are unnecessarily severe in everything. I really don't think that God is more pleased with them then He is with anyone else who lives a good life.

I absolutely LOVE this family!!! I am so thankful that they allow their lives to be filmed. They are a blessing to so many people, including myself. It is so exciting and fun to watch these young people grow up into such wonderful amazing adults. The world is a much better place with people like the Duggar's in it. I am so happy for Jill and Derek on their engagement and Jessa and Ben on their courtship. Can't wait for next Tuesday so I can watch the next episode of 19 Kids and Counting. Hugs & Blessings to all the Duggar's!

Regarding the comment about dating vs. courtship:I am all for purity until marriage. I just don't think the rules have to be so extreme. The chaperone business for 20- something young women is over the top. Plenty of young couples hold hands, hug, and even kiss but still wait until marriage for anything further. The Duggar parents managed to do so. I don't understand how these nice young couples can be expected to go from NO contact to full speed in a matter of hours. Also, if the courtship doesn't work out, someone is going to still end up with a broken heart. So, no kissing and only giving side hugs does not "protect their hearts". Just ask Zach Bates.

Everyone is free to decide how, and when, to date, court, kiss, or marry. Jill claims that the Duggars set "higher" standards". By using this term, she expresses disrespect towards everyone who does not share her views.

Jill (and the other Duggar kids) seem to be very smart when it comes to things like this. What incredible truth she speaks right at the beginning of the interview—about accepting yourself and finding completion in the Lord instead of in other people. Brilliant and exactly right! I don't care what anyone says about the Duggar family: Jim Bob and Michelle parents raised their kids in a very intelligent, Godly way, and they are an inspiration for me and others.

Some of the comments here make me think that some fans feel personally diminished by the standards the Duggars keep. It really is okay that our beliefs and standards are not all the same. It does not mean you are a bad person because you live differently than the Duggars. The Duggars are not trying to criticize others by living their standards, they are just trying to live their lives in way that is in keeping with God's will in their lives. It's okay for Jill to say she is living by a higher standard, their standards are indeed high, If your standards are different or lower even that's okay, if you feel good about your standards and that God is pleased with your standards, terrific, but if your conscience is being pricked maybe you need to ponder and pray about it. If Heavenly Father wants you to change something in your life he will guide you in that direction. The point is not to compare yourself to Duggar's standards but to God's standards. He always desires the very best for us and will gently lead if you are willing to follow. The trick is keeping those standards He convicts you of. The Duggar family is clearly adhering to the standards and values God has lead them to and I like many others admire them for this and would want to encourage them to continue, rather than see them pretend that they live by lesser standards simply because they don't want to offend those of us who live lives that look different from their own. Peace.

God's love for us is unconditional. Long hair doesn't make him love someone more than another. A loving heart goes a very long way. Physical modesty is extremely good in shaping our character, but an act of wearing our hair a certain way seems extreme in thinking that pleases God more than someone else. Say, parents in African tribes who shave their children's heads to control insects. Their hearts may be as wonderful as the Duggars. This is extremely legalistic. And, young ladies can wear very modest swim suits without swimming in their regular clothing. And what's with not wanting their girls to go to college and prepare for the chance that they may be the bread winner some day? What's up with that? That is an extremely scary scenario, one that I faced myself.

I agree with what someone else said: you can still "date" and be pure. It's not like every dating relationship ends up having that extreme physical side, though some do, not everyone does. We can't make a "typical dating" category, because everyone has their own views. You can still date and shy away from all those things. Holding hands? Now I think doing that while dating is perfectly fine. If it is out of love and not out of possession, as some people do. I heard on the episode of either Josh and Anna's wedding or Priscilla and David's wedding, Mr. Keller saying that "typical dating" (there's that category again!) sets you up for divorce. Like, "Oh! I am gonna date this guy!" and then they break up. But he cannot say that everyone is like that! Sure, that puppy love maybe during middle school or high school that they call "dating" But to put everyone in the one place and you higher because you set "higher standards and Court" I think is a little too much. And arrogant in a way. I don't think the Duggar girls mean it, but it may be received that way from many people. My brother and Sister-in-Law, "dated". They were each other's first "girl/boy friend" and now have been happily married a year. They are doing fine! So you can still go the "typical dating" route and turn out fine as a couple. Look were Jim Bob and Michelle are! Almost 30 years and 19 kids! I don't see any divorce over that horizon! Thank you,

@Anonymous In the Christian faith the Bible tells us that living a good life isn't enough and that salvation cannot be earned by our own works and deeds. We are saved by the grace of God when we acknowledge Jesus Christ as God's son and take him as our personal savior.(See John 3:16 and Ephesians Chapter 2, especially verses 5-8).

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Welcome to the premiere source for factual, encouraging updates on Jim Bob & Michelle Duggar and their 19 kids (TLC's 19 Kids and Counting & Counting On). Our site is not maintained by the Duggars, but we (Lily and Ellie) are personal friends of the family.